Unshackled Moments ~ September 5 ~ Game On

Today is the day I have been awaiting with eager anticipation all year, the kick off of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football season. Since the final whistle blow of last season I have looked forward to this day and the weeks to come. The team is rebuilding. They don't have the stars of some of the other teams. They are not going to win every game, and it will be a miracle if they even make a serious running for the conference championship. The idea of winning a national championship is ludicrous. But I can't wait to watch it unfold, and it all starts in a few hours.

We can have that same enthusiasm of a football fan for what God is going to do next in our lives. He has a plan, and it's starting soon, whether soon is a few hours from now or a few months or a few years, He will be kicking off a new chapter in our life. We can get worried and afraid knowing that we are not as prepared as we'd like, or as strong as some others, or don't have the resources, or we can look forward with expectation at performing our best and learning what God would have us learn. He doesn't expect us to be perfect or to succeed on our own. In fact, self-sufficiency is the last thing He wants from us, so we can let that fear of failure go. He is waiting to pour out His grace to make up the difference, whether great or small, between what we can do and what He wants done.

There will be times of difficulty. Learning and growth always include some struggle and pain. Learning new things and new levels of  trusting God is predicated on walking beyond where we are, what we already know and stepping outside our comfort zone. Some may see us try to run with God's game plan and only see our shortcomings, criticizing us from the sidelines. That can hurt and be embarrassing. But others will see the glory, power, love, grace and mercy of God in both our successes and failures. We ourselves will have the pleasure of being on the field in the action of what God is doing. There is nothing greater than fulfilling the purpose of our  calling.

So today, let us continue to do the things we have been told to do. Everything we are called to do today, called to go through today is preparation for what is to come. Let's do it with passion and enthusiasm and a determination to do our best for the Coach who calls the plays while remaining reliant upon His instruction, guidance and power to pull it off. Game On.